Well, after resting a little after the Rotorua Half Marathon its time to get my big butt back into the saddle and into the race again. Mind you, the only thing that I think would have made it better today was if I had actually gone to bed earlier than I did, then the 5:10am alarm wouldn't have been so unwelcome.
As for the gym today, I started a new programme that I designed just to get back into the swing of things. A mixture of cardio and upper body machine work that I will work on for the next four weeks before either swapping out something or adding exercise too.
While I cannot say my time off has been completely wasted I have to say its been enlightening. In one respect it has shown me that I have been able to develop and maintain a good degree of self control in relation to my general eating habits and activity level. The other has shown me that I am somewhat still prone to bad choices and general lazy decisions resulting in those poor choices.
Take tonight for example. Neither Sunny nor I was really the bouncing bag of beans we usually are. The easy option would have been to just go get something to eat...even on the healthier side, I know and understand fresh home made food is better than any you could buy in the shop. In the end I dragged myself into the kitchen and put something together that was nice and relatively healthy.
Life gets like that I suppose. Tests us with those small choices every day which can either help us on our individual journeys or hinder our progress.
Anyways...I did enjoy my work out this morning. Tomorrow though I've been asked to ref some basketball games at St Johns before I go out to St Peters tomorrow night.
It's going to be an exciting week. Bring it on and the next stage of the journey.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012
30 April 2012
Well, today begins the recovery from the Rotorua Half Marathon. Actually, it began the day of it with a massage at the Events Centre and a spa shortly afterward, but today, I spent some time in the pool at Waterworld then the Hydrotherapy pool.
I have found it difficult to try and put it all into words.
I knew the course. In 2010 my wife and some of our friends completed the full marathon and Ellie and I caught up with them around the mark where the Half Marathon came out from its first KM or so before heading on the main road back to Rotorua. You hit a pretty nice climb early on. That was easy pretty much. Crystal and I got that hill pretty quick and Sunny was well ahead keeping pace with a lady with whom she made a good association with for much of the marathon.
The first 10km seemed to go pretty fast. In fact, by comparison to the Lake Taupo Relay first stage I did of 10.1km in 2 hours bang on. So to get to the 10km mark in 1hour 50mins I was pretty happy. Though I was a bit worried by the time I hit 15km.
My ankles started to feel weak and my ham-strings started to feel very tight. I'd been sucking fluids regularly and often, the breeze was good. Another thing that was very nice was occasionally it would lightly rain. This made it somewhat nice to go through. But my concerns were with my physical abilities staying with me to the end.
It wasn't until after the 15km mark that I seriously had doubts as to my personal ability to finish. I remember putting out a little text message to my FB friends that some prayers wouldn't go astray. I passed 3 others who's bibs said Half Marathon competitors who did not finish because of injury or other concerns. My left knee started cramping, so I stopped and stretched it out. Then my right knee started hurting. My hammy's again letting me know they are there. My dear friend Mike walked with me for a while it was difficult between 13-16km.
Now and then I would pause, stretch and carry on. People passing me for a long time had paused to shake my hand, pat me on the back or just say carry on, you can do it or something nice. Even one of the marathon running women stopped and gave me a hug and said she would look for me at the end. All of these things, right to the end when clapping people who I didn't know cheered me and others on.
But what it was in the end was the hand of my beautiful wife, who with her own aches and pains came back and walked the final 2km with me, basically towing me over the line. I was staggering left and right. She kept me going straight. She said "I'm staying with you no matter what" which has deeper meaning for me beyond just walking over the finishing line together. Yet, we walked over the line, beating my own goal of 5 hours, with an official time of 4:48.52.
The accomplishment is amazing to think about. One year ago if someone had told me I would or could do the Taupo Relay let alone the Rotorua Half marathon I'd have called the crisis unit. But now as I look back on both, I look forward to 2013 when I will do them again and beat my times.
I need to thank my dear friend Mike Matchitt whom I have worked with and known for some years now. He came down and helped us out and was just the voice who helped me forget my aches and pains. Everyone who encouraged us, especially me in getting through the event. It means more than I think most people will realise.
At the end of the night, we went to prize giving. Not expecting anything. 2 things happened.
They were giving out the placement prizes for I think it was the marathon and this guy went up to get a prize on behalf of his partner. When he came back down, I think I was just too zoned out to notice what he was really trying to say. He said he saw me on the course, thought he had seen me elsewhere but saw me doing the half marathon today and complimented me on the effort. He then gave me his awesome Asic's sports bag which was a part of the prize he got for his partner.
Then later they are drawing spot sponsor prizes. Crystal's name is drawn for a BBQ unit. Not only had they gone already, but they had to be there to claim it. Well, after texting Crystal and then her calling, we ended up claiming it for her. So now we have this massive box in our lounge.
Anyways...Now...focus turns to Iron Maori at years end other than some additional goals in the mean times.
BRING IT!
I have found it difficult to try and put it all into words.
I knew the course. In 2010 my wife and some of our friends completed the full marathon and Ellie and I caught up with them around the mark where the Half Marathon came out from its first KM or so before heading on the main road back to Rotorua. You hit a pretty nice climb early on. That was easy pretty much. Crystal and I got that hill pretty quick and Sunny was well ahead keeping pace with a lady with whom she made a good association with for much of the marathon.
The first 10km seemed to go pretty fast. In fact, by comparison to the Lake Taupo Relay first stage I did of 10.1km in 2 hours bang on. So to get to the 10km mark in 1hour 50mins I was pretty happy. Though I was a bit worried by the time I hit 15km.
My ankles started to feel weak and my ham-strings started to feel very tight. I'd been sucking fluids regularly and often, the breeze was good. Another thing that was very nice was occasionally it would lightly rain. This made it somewhat nice to go through. But my concerns were with my physical abilities staying with me to the end.
It wasn't until after the 15km mark that I seriously had doubts as to my personal ability to finish. I remember putting out a little text message to my FB friends that some prayers wouldn't go astray. I passed 3 others who's bibs said Half Marathon competitors who did not finish because of injury or other concerns. My left knee started cramping, so I stopped and stretched it out. Then my right knee started hurting. My hammy's again letting me know they are there. My dear friend Mike walked with me for a while it was difficult between 13-16km.
Now and then I would pause, stretch and carry on. People passing me for a long time had paused to shake my hand, pat me on the back or just say carry on, you can do it or something nice. Even one of the marathon running women stopped and gave me a hug and said she would look for me at the end. All of these things, right to the end when clapping people who I didn't know cheered me and others on.
But what it was in the end was the hand of my beautiful wife, who with her own aches and pains came back and walked the final 2km with me, basically towing me over the line. I was staggering left and right. She kept me going straight. She said "I'm staying with you no matter what" which has deeper meaning for me beyond just walking over the finishing line together. Yet, we walked over the line, beating my own goal of 5 hours, with an official time of 4:48.52.
The accomplishment is amazing to think about. One year ago if someone had told me I would or could do the Taupo Relay let alone the Rotorua Half marathon I'd have called the crisis unit. But now as I look back on both, I look forward to 2013 when I will do them again and beat my times.
I need to thank my dear friend Mike Matchitt whom I have worked with and known for some years now. He came down and helped us out and was just the voice who helped me forget my aches and pains. Everyone who encouraged us, especially me in getting through the event. It means more than I think most people will realise.
At the end of the night, we went to prize giving. Not expecting anything. 2 things happened.
They were giving out the placement prizes for I think it was the marathon and this guy went up to get a prize on behalf of his partner. When he came back down, I think I was just too zoned out to notice what he was really trying to say. He said he saw me on the course, thought he had seen me elsewhere but saw me doing the half marathon today and complimented me on the effort. He then gave me his awesome Asic's sports bag which was a part of the prize he got for his partner.
Then later they are drawing spot sponsor prizes. Crystal's name is drawn for a BBQ unit. Not only had they gone already, but they had to be there to claim it. Well, after texting Crystal and then her calling, we ended up claiming it for her. So now we have this massive box in our lounge.
Anyways...Now...focus turns to Iron Maori at years end other than some additional goals in the mean times.
BRING IT!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
12 April 2012
Well, I know I have been quiet these past few days...part of that was Easter Weekend I wasn't near an internet accesable machine to post anything on my blog. That said, I did make some posts on Facebook but I probably should explain something.
As a basketball referee I sometimes get asked to go to tournaments near and far. Pacific Basketball hosts an annual tournament Easter Weekend in Auckland. I went to it for the first time about 4 maybe 5 years ago. I have maybe done 3 tournaments in the time in since. But looking back to a more recent time, last year's basketball season in Hamilton was frustrating for myself and I did not enjoy it. I know why. My weight and general fitness.
Since October when I began my journey though I have done two tournaments. The Boys High Blitz in late March, and now this Easter tournament. At the blitz I did 4 games. Slightly different as they were running clock games, but the Easter tournament was the first time since last season I had done 'proper' games. 3 games on the Friday. 4 games Saturday with Sunday off, then Monday doing my final 2 games. I honestly felt like I could have done 1 or 2 more.
I sat though watching the last parts of the four finals games at North Shore Events Centre, watching some of the other officials I had worked with at different times, David, Melissa, Brendan and others when I noticed I was crying a little. Why? I had done 9 games in 3 days. Sure...one or two were as boring as heck, but I had 'worked' 9 games. I cannot remember when I had done 9 games at a tournament where I actually walked off the court, felt happy about not only my performance as an official, but my physical feeling of accomplishment.
Bear in mind, the last time I seriously officiated a game I was almost 50kg heavier and less physically active. Aside from some soreness after those 9 games I felt really awesome. Though on our trip home I did have to take the passenger seat and get Sunny to drive the last half hour or more home before I drove us into the Waikato River.
But that said I look back on the weekend with a sense of accomplishment and appreciate the support and encouragement I got from my friends and fellow officials.
Now as I look towards my next challenge in two weeks time, the Rotorua Half Marathon. All 21.5km of it. I think the running in the weekend has helped in some preparation but I think I need to do some more distance walks next week to get going. I know some pool time will help also so I will do that to keep me going.
But Rotorua is yet another stepping stone to Iron Maori in December.
Another step in my journey.
As a basketball referee I sometimes get asked to go to tournaments near and far. Pacific Basketball hosts an annual tournament Easter Weekend in Auckland. I went to it for the first time about 4 maybe 5 years ago. I have maybe done 3 tournaments in the time in since. But looking back to a more recent time, last year's basketball season in Hamilton was frustrating for myself and I did not enjoy it. I know why. My weight and general fitness.
Since October when I began my journey though I have done two tournaments. The Boys High Blitz in late March, and now this Easter tournament. At the blitz I did 4 games. Slightly different as they were running clock games, but the Easter tournament was the first time since last season I had done 'proper' games. 3 games on the Friday. 4 games Saturday with Sunday off, then Monday doing my final 2 games. I honestly felt like I could have done 1 or 2 more.
I sat though watching the last parts of the four finals games at North Shore Events Centre, watching some of the other officials I had worked with at different times, David, Melissa, Brendan and others when I noticed I was crying a little. Why? I had done 9 games in 3 days. Sure...one or two were as boring as heck, but I had 'worked' 9 games. I cannot remember when I had done 9 games at a tournament where I actually walked off the court, felt happy about not only my performance as an official, but my physical feeling of accomplishment.
Bear in mind, the last time I seriously officiated a game I was almost 50kg heavier and less physically active. Aside from some soreness after those 9 games I felt really awesome. Though on our trip home I did have to take the passenger seat and get Sunny to drive the last half hour or more home before I drove us into the Waikato River.
But that said I look back on the weekend with a sense of accomplishment and appreciate the support and encouragement I got from my friends and fellow officials.
Now as I look towards my next challenge in two weeks time, the Rotorua Half Marathon. All 21.5km of it. I think the running in the weekend has helped in some preparation but I think I need to do some more distance walks next week to get going. I know some pool time will help also so I will do that to keep me going.
But Rotorua is yet another stepping stone to Iron Maori in December.
Another step in my journey.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
3 April 2012
Its hard to believe its April already. It's also hard to imagine that its 25 days to the Rotorua Half Marathon and still lots to work on but I feel very confident that I can get it done! I know I still need to get some distance walks behind me during the day so after this weekend in Auckland I will be doing the streets and walking every other day rain or shine during the day.
I've also been thinking a lot about my assignments for uni. They have been weighing on my mind a lot and I have been working hard. It has been somewhat distracting but I also know the stresses came back like they use too...but I noticed that I am not reacting to them as I use to...as in eating and eating and eating. In fact, on Monday this week I went to the pool and worked out my stress with my good friend Ojay and his wife who is my Aqua Jogging trainer. Have to say...my legs aren't as sore as they use to be as well.
With the daylight savings my young girl has been waking early enough to stop me from going to the gym, well, it was Monday, so tomorrow I will play it by ear and see how it goes. I like to make sure Sunny gets some decent sleep in the morning so I corale the little one and make sure she doesn't bother mummy until later. Maybe I will just go later and dip in the pool when its done.
Anyways...my head is done for the night. I got a bit distracted in talking with an old school friend who lives in Australia. But I am looking forward to getting into some workout tomorrow and getting some sweat on! Love it to be honest. The obstacle is just getting there and getting going. Once going, I'm off and love it to bits.
Night all!
I've also been thinking a lot about my assignments for uni. They have been weighing on my mind a lot and I have been working hard. It has been somewhat distracting but I also know the stresses came back like they use too...but I noticed that I am not reacting to them as I use to...as in eating and eating and eating. In fact, on Monday this week I went to the pool and worked out my stress with my good friend Ojay and his wife who is my Aqua Jogging trainer. Have to say...my legs aren't as sore as they use to be as well.
With the daylight savings my young girl has been waking early enough to stop me from going to the gym, well, it was Monday, so tomorrow I will play it by ear and see how it goes. I like to make sure Sunny gets some decent sleep in the morning so I corale the little one and make sure she doesn't bother mummy until later. Maybe I will just go later and dip in the pool when its done.
Anyways...my head is done for the night. I got a bit distracted in talking with an old school friend who lives in Australia. But I am looking forward to getting into some workout tomorrow and getting some sweat on! Love it to be honest. The obstacle is just getting there and getting going. Once going, I'm off and love it to bits.
Night all!
Friday, March 30, 2012
30 March 2012
Man I had an awesome workout this morning and its been a pretty productive day. Albeit challenging in its own way.
Tomorrow though is a big day. Iron Maori registrations open at like 7am tomorrow morning. If its anything like last year they were snapped up in minutes so its going to be difficult to get into one...but I hope thats sorted. In any case I will continue to move forward and challenge myself to different things and better myself as the year goes on.
It's been an interesting week since the tournament. I think its taken me longer to recover fully than I expected. But I know part of that is I didn't stretch as I should have. I just went straight on with things and I felt all sore for it. But in saying that it still feels good to know I have a bit more endurance than I did this time last year.
Tomorrow morning I have a 9am meeting in town which right now I am thinking about walking in too. I think that will be a nice walk and overall its not really far. With the V8 track build well under way I think I better look and see which is the best way to go. Its about 3.5km so its a nice walk, in fact its shorter than the lake only by a few metres. Still, a good way to start the morning.
Ellie has a birthday to go to and then we might squeeze in some family time in the afternoon and head off to the Balloons Night Glow. I think that will be fun. Won't be walking there but we'll park somewhere near by and go and have a nice night together as a family.
Tomorrow though is a big day. Iron Maori registrations open at like 7am tomorrow morning. If its anything like last year they were snapped up in minutes so its going to be difficult to get into one...but I hope thats sorted. In any case I will continue to move forward and challenge myself to different things and better myself as the year goes on.
It's been an interesting week since the tournament. I think its taken me longer to recover fully than I expected. But I know part of that is I didn't stretch as I should have. I just went straight on with things and I felt all sore for it. But in saying that it still feels good to know I have a bit more endurance than I did this time last year.
Tomorrow morning I have a 9am meeting in town which right now I am thinking about walking in too. I think that will be a nice walk and overall its not really far. With the V8 track build well under way I think I better look and see which is the best way to go. Its about 3.5km so its a nice walk, in fact its shorter than the lake only by a few metres. Still, a good way to start the morning.
Ellie has a birthday to go to and then we might squeeze in some family time in the afternoon and head off to the Balloons Night Glow. I think that will be fun. Won't be walking there but we'll park somewhere near by and go and have a nice night together as a family.
Monday, March 26, 2012
26 March 2012
I'd be lying if I said I was totally happy with myself. But this is just me in a funk I guess and its time to snap out of it and get over myself and move on. Harder and better. I went to a week long programme once and heard a speaker say, “its not what happens to you that matters, its what you do about it that counts.
I didn't go to the gym today...I did go for a short dip. I guess I'm still somewhat sore after the weekend's basketball tournament. Four games and to be honest, after four games, being my first run of the season I felt like I did after I had just done one last year. One game, everything, including the fat would be screaming out 'stop it your killing us'. But I have to admit, feeling like I could run freely and do it well, keeping up with the games and keeping in some cases ahead of the play impressed some people who hadn't seen me since last year.
In fact, one lady I knew from St Pauls college said she was worried about me last year but was watching me in the game, noticed some changes and how well I seemed to be moving around. I do need to get some new reffing shoes though. These ones are almost 3 years old. Wouldn't hurt.
That said, I think a full on work out might have hurt more than it needed to so I did some stretching in the pool and will go back to the gym on Wednesday and start again. I am actually looking forward to the new season of basketball because it will only help with my training.
It's really good though to have as my focus the Rotorua Half marathon for the next month or so. It is going to be hard as it is going to be during the day...that means I might have to adjust some of my training to day time walks to get some real conditioning behind me. I remember that for leg 18 of the relay it was the most difficult part about the entire thing for me after doing stage 3 in the early hours. While 18 was a shorter distance it was more difficult because of the time of day and the weather.
I guess also thinking that it’s not like I know what the weather is going to be like on the day of the event either. It could be raining like anything. Could be stormy weather, we just don't know. All you can do is prepare for the challenge head on and do your best when the time comes. Much like Taupo, the goal is to finish. It is to get to the end and celebrate another accomplishment and in 2013 go back and do better.
That said, tomorrow I am going to do some more work here at home before I go to the pools and aqua jog my legs off. I have to be honest and say I am enjoying it. Which is no longer strange, but becoming more normal.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
22 March 2012
I had an interesting experience today.
It's been a long time since I've walked through the clothing section in Farmers for any reason, including to look at the tie rack. But today I ventured to the clothing racks I used to visit quite frequently. Usually with the brands chisel, or Sandbags or Mizzoni.
It wasn't that I was going to drop into anything overly snazzy, but I was curious as to what was there and what I liked. Tell you what...it was good to see some options. There were two jackets I absolutely loved that I know six months ago I would never have looked at them...knowing how I would look.
But I took the jacket over to the changing room area where I was presented with a large full size mirror. Full size I mean roof to floor and wall to wall. None the less I was presented with a full view of...well...me. This is not something I am prone to nor something I do often even now outside of checking the hair before I go out to make sure I look some what presentable when in the arms of my beautiful wife or going to church.
But today, I actually stopped and looked for a moment or two. The jacket was still a couple of inches from being zipped up but still, I was somewhat amazed at how well it fitted and sat on me. I quickly tried on a pair of the track pants that were there and while they were still somewhat tight as new clothes are, for the most part they were a little baggy, and the length was such that they would have to be hemmed. I wanted to go out and grab some more things but time was moving on and there were other things that needed doing.
But that was a moment to just stop and think. I have come a long way and know a long way is still to come ahead. More challenges to take on and overcome. But one by one the rewards come and will continue to come, that much I know.
Thought that was something worth sharing.
It's been a long time since I've walked through the clothing section in Farmers for any reason, including to look at the tie rack. But today I ventured to the clothing racks I used to visit quite frequently. Usually with the brands chisel, or Sandbags or Mizzoni.
It wasn't that I was going to drop into anything overly snazzy, but I was curious as to what was there and what I liked. Tell you what...it was good to see some options. There were two jackets I absolutely loved that I know six months ago I would never have looked at them...knowing how I would look.
But I took the jacket over to the changing room area where I was presented with a large full size mirror. Full size I mean roof to floor and wall to wall. None the less I was presented with a full view of...well...me. This is not something I am prone to nor something I do often even now outside of checking the hair before I go out to make sure I look some what presentable when in the arms of my beautiful wife or going to church.
But today, I actually stopped and looked for a moment or two. The jacket was still a couple of inches from being zipped up but still, I was somewhat amazed at how well it fitted and sat on me. I quickly tried on a pair of the track pants that were there and while they were still somewhat tight as new clothes are, for the most part they were a little baggy, and the length was such that they would have to be hemmed. I wanted to go out and grab some more things but time was moving on and there were other things that needed doing.
But that was a moment to just stop and think. I have come a long way and know a long way is still to come ahead. More challenges to take on and overcome. But one by one the rewards come and will continue to come, that much I know.
Thought that was something worth sharing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)